Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The ICC had charged Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant with crimes linked to Israel’s military actions following the October 7 Hamas attacks. The ongoing war has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths.

What Happened
Netanyahu's visit is controversial because Hungary is an ICC member state, which theoretically obligates it to arrest individuals facing ICC warrants. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has openly rejected the court’s ruling, calling the arrest warrant "brazen, cynical, and totally unacceptable." He had invited Netanyahu to Hungary despite the ICC's order, making it clear that Hungary would not enforce the arrest.

Background on the ICC Warrant
The ICC issued the arrest warrant against Netanyahu and Gallant in November 2024, citing alleged war crimes in Gaza. The charges stem from Israel’s military response to Hamas’s October 7 attack, which Israel claims was an act of self-defense. Israel has strongly denounced the ICC’s accusations, calling them politically motivated and an attack on a democratically elected leader.

Netanyahu’s International Visits
This marks Netanyahu’s second international trip since the ICC warrant was issued. His first visit was to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump. Neither Israel nor the United States is a member of the ICC and has dismissed the court’s actions as politically driven.

Security and Itinerary in Hungary
Upon Netanyahu’s arrival, heavy security was deployed around his hotel in central Budapest. He is scheduled to meet with Orban and later hold a press conference. As part of his visit, Netanyahu will also visit a Holocaust memorial.

Despite the ICC's arrest warrant, Netanyahu continues to travel internationally with backing from allies like Hungary and the United States. Orban’s refusal to comply with the ICC ruling highlights the ongoing divide between nations that support the court’s authority and those that dismiss it as politically biased. Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary reinforces Israel’s stance against the ICC’s legitimacy and signals continued diplomatic alliances with governments that reject the court’s decision.